Match Report : 30/04/2016

Rovers ended their season on the road with all three points against Rotherham United.

Shane Duffy's header six minutes into the match at the New York Stadium was enough to give the Rovers the victory and inflict a first defeat in 12 on their opponents.

The visitors started brightly, forcing a couple of early corners, and from Matt Grimes' inswinger, Irishman Duffy outmuscled his marker before nodding home.

Danny Graham was denied by the legs of Rotherham keeper Lee Camp, whilst former Rover Leon Best spurned the home side's best chance of the opening half when he headed wide from two yards.

Rovers had the better of proceedings in the second 45 and only an inspired goalkeeping performance from Camp prevented the Lancashire club from adding to their tally.

Gomez was denied when through on goal, before the Spaniard saw a header spectacularly kept out.

Rovers finish their season next Saturday at home to Reading.

For the penultimate match of the campaign, and for his penultimate match in charge, Paul Lambert made four changes as well as a change of formation for the match against the Millers as the Rovers started the match lining up 3-5-2.

And it was two of those returning to the starting XI who combined to give the visitors the lead after just six minutes at the New York Stadium.

As Matt Grimes sent over a second corner in quick succession, Shane Duffy showed good strength to hold off his marker and nod beyond Lee Camp in the Millers' goal and into the back of the net.

It was the Republic of Ireland international's fourth goal for the club this season.

Rovers pressed for a second as Jordi Gomez saw a shot blocked following another Grimes set-piece, but at the other end Joe Mattock was wide of the near post after a spell of pressure from the home side.

Then as Jason Steele kept out a long-range strike from Grant Ward at one end, Camp managed to get another important block in to prevent Danny Graham from getting on the scoresheet at the other.

But Rotherham should have been on level terms a minute before the break when following Steele's fine save to keep out a 25-yard shot from Frazer Richardson, the substitute kept play alive with a peach of a cross to Leon Best at the back post, but the former Rover somehow nodded wide with the goal at his mercy.

Darragh Lenihan was the first to see sight of goal as play resumed in the second half, the midfielder taking advantage as space opened up in front of him to try his luck from distance, but Camp claimed the bouncing ball at the second attempt. Ward did likewise for Rotherham, Steele easily able to gather the low shot.

However despite the even start to the second half Rovers took a grip of the game once more and should have doubled their advantage on 57 minutes.

Ben Marshall played a lovely through ball that dissected the Rotherham defence, but Gomez saw his first-time shot saved.

The home side then went up the other end and were inches away from getting on the scoresheet themselves. Firstly Matt Derbyshire saw a glancing header flash across goal, before Lee Frecklington fired over from Best's cutback.

It would prove to be their best chance of the game as the Millers had goalkeeper Camp to thank for keeping them in the match with two further fine saves.

The Rotherham number one showed quick reactions to deny Bennett at his near post, but he topped that with a stunning 74th minute save.

As Marshall delivered from the right, Gomez met it well with his header, the ball seemed destined for the top corner but Camp somehow got across to get fingertips to the ball to push it over the bar.

Despite throwing on more attackers in the closing stages the Rovers goal wasn't threatened to any degree. A Richard Wood header from a Jerome Thomas centre that was straight at Steele the closest the home side would come to getting back on level terms as Paul Lambert's side saw the match out comfortably to claim the points, much to the delight of the 1200 travelling fans.